John Gunderson Hopes Move to Xtreme Couture Leads to IFL Title

Although lightweight John Gunderson (15-5) will be fighting for Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den at this Friday’s IFL event, the 27-year-old is hoping his recent move to Xtreme Couture will help him in his fight with IFL lightweight champ Ryan “The Lion” Schultz (18-9-1).

Gunderson discussed the change of camps and his upcoming bout while a guest on Tuesday’s edition of TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), a content partner site of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

“For me it’s a night-and-day difference between the training that I’ve had before,” Gunderson said of his move to Xtreme Couture. “There isn’t a day gone by that I haven’t been tapped out or got rocked a little bit. And I don’t really ever remember that happening in Reno, Nev.”

Although Gunderson made the move to Las Vegas less than a month ago, he feels the longer he trains at Xtreme Couture, the better his game will become.

“In two to three weeks, I’m not going to show a dramatic or drastic change in my skill level,” Gunderson said. “I’m no fool, but I think within six months, I’m going to be able to show a lot better skill level… I’ve got so many great training partners, and we’ve got some good coaches there, too. I love the opportunity, and I love the gym.”

Gunderson joins a growing list of fighters based at Xtreme Couture, including namesake Randy Couture, as well as notables Jay Hieron, Mike Pyle, John Alessio, Tyson Griffin, Martin Kampmann and Gray Maynard.

And while Xtreme Couture fighters are often recognized for the implementation of intelligent game plans in the ring, Gunderson said he is approaching the fight with Schultz from the complete opposite direction.

“I’m just going to go out there and fight,” Gunderson said. “I’m just going to throw my game plan out. Every time I seem to go in there with a game plan, it doesn’t seem to work out the best, so I’m just going to go out there and fight.”

Schultz enters the bout on a four-fight win streak, including an upset victory over the previously unbeaten Chris Horodecki in December to become the IFL’s first lightweight title-holder. Gunderson said he is prepared for the style Schultz will bring to this five-round fight.

“(Schultz is) a good wrestler, and he’s a tough guy,” the Oregon native said. “He’s strong. So I believe he’s going to try and come in, try to bully me around, because he thinks he’s probably the stronger guy, which he might be a little bit. And he’s definitely the better wrestler. So I think he’s going to try and come in and push his weight around and try to bully me around like he does a lot of guys… I’m just excited for the opportunity to fight for the title and fight Ryan. I think it’s a good fight, and it’s a tough fight, and that’s what I wanted. I’m excited for it.”

The Gunderson vs. Schultz IFL lightweight title fight, as well as the remainder of the main card of Friday’s “IFL: New Battles, New Blood” event, airs live on HDNet.

To hear the full interview (which includes a guest spot with the MMA Junkie himself), download Tuesday’s edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio Network archives.

This story was produced by TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com) specially for MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). The show — which is hosted by fighter/broadcaster Frank Trigg, Gorgeous George and Goze — books some of the biggest names in MMA. Download all the former episodes at www.taggradio.com, or tune into TAGG Radio’s live shows Monday-Friday at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.

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